Media Release Archive - 2003
Cabinet decision on harmonised approach
to drug advertising a huge step forward
18 December 2003
The authors of the report “For Health or Profit ?”, released in February
calling on the Minister of Health to support a ban on direct to consumer advertising
(DTCA) of prescription drugs, congratulate the Government on it’s decision today to
harmonise New Zealand ’s approach to DTCA and disease-state advertising with
Australia.
Increasing numbers of health
professionals take specialist postgraduate courses
12 December 2003
This academic year 176 postgraduate students from the Christchurch School of Medicine
and Health Sciences have received a Certificate, Diploma, Masters or PhD in Health
Sciences from the University of Otago, taking a further step in their careers as health
professionals.
NZMA honour awarded to Professor Davis
4 December 2003
Top New Zealand health researcher Professor Peter Davis is this year's recipient of the
New Zealand Medical Association's highest honour, the Chairman's Award for 2003.
Mental health the focus of three major
conferences
1 December 2003
The Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago is hosting
three important mental health conferences at the Arts Centre in Christchurch this week,
beginning December 1.
New funding boost for Parkinson's disease
research
27 November 2003
The announcement that the Government is to match the University of Otago’s $25
million ‘Leading Thinkers’ strategic academic research programme has given
a big boost to the Centre for Parkinson’s Diseases and Movement Disorders at the
Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago.
More training indicated for diabetic
care in rest homes
17 November 2003
Its long been known that diabetes is a condition which affects many residents in rest
homes, but until now there has been no clear indication in New Zealand of the numbers
involved and the care they receive.
Research into cancer of the uterus given
big boost
10 November 2003
Research into endometrial cancer has been given extra impetus with the announcement of
a $60,000 grant for researchers at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Otago University. The grant is one of six announced today by the Canterbury Medical
Research Foundation, worth a total of $270,000.
New light shed on serious
abnormalities in babies
13 October 2003
Every year in NZ, at least 15 babies are born with a serious and life threatening
congenital abnormality called oesophageal atresia. Babies with this condition have part
of their gullet (oesophagus) missing, and the lower end of the gullet has an abnormal
connection or hole between it and the trachea (windpipe). Without surgery these babies
die, as milk cannot be swallowed and ends up in the lungs, causing pneumonia.
Return of first N.Z. liver/bowel
transplant highlights need for research
03 October 2003
The first New Zealander to have a transplant of the liver and small bowel has just returned
from life-saving surgery in Toronto. Thirty-two year old Scott Large faced a bleak future
before his double transplant , but is now looking forward to getting back to normal life in
Christchurch.
Prize winning unit plays a key role in
vascular research
22 September 2003
The University of Otago joint clinical staff have won the national award for the
establishment of an innovative Vascular Studies Unit with a multi-disciplinary team at
Christchurch Hospital which will mean more effective and patient-friendly assessment of
vascular disease.
Depression, Bipolar, Suicide, Neonatal
Infection, the Elderly, and Emphysema
11 September 2003
The Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, has received
$3.53 million to support seven new studies in the latest Health Research Council (HRC)
funding round.
World Health Organisation expert says SARS is
not the only global health threat
3 September 2003
A suite of global diseases is a greater ongoing challenge than the SARS epidemic that hit
the headlines earlier this year says a visiting health policy expert from the World Health
Organisation. Dr Chris Murray is the Margaret Black Fellow for 2003 at the Christchurch
School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago.
Minister of Health launches new unit to
assist clinical decision making.
6 August 2003
Every day clinical specialists in hospitals make complex decisions about difficult cases,
often under intense pressure. Keeping up with the latest research and clinical information
regarding the most effective use of new medical techniques and technologies can be a major
challenge.
High cost of not treating Hepatitis C in
drug users
21 May 2003
Researchers at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Otago University,
have revealed there will be increasingly heavy costs on the health system of up to $400
million as a result of not treating intravenous drug (IDU) users for Hepatitis C.
Widespread support for influenza
vaccination amongst older people
7th May 2003
In the first New Zealand study of adults' attitudes to vaccination, research by the
Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Otago University, shows that most
people think the free influenza vaccine is a good idea. The study is investigating
attitudes to influenza vaccination amongst New Zealanders 65 years and older.
Repairing ruptured aortas and saving lives
5th March 2003
David Paterson is a very lucky young man. Fortunate that Professor Tim Buckenham from
Otago University's Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences had the skill and
experience to deal with his horrific injury.
Gold Medals for excellence in medical
education
3rd March 2003
Two long standing Professors at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences
have received gold medals for teaching excellence at the School's Academic Inauguration
Ceremony.
Clinical pharmacologists
back drug advert ban
26 February 2003
We strongly endorse the proposal for a DTCA ban and the establishment of an
independent consumer drug information service. Clinical Pharmacologists are
specialists in the science, evaluation and appropriate utilisation of drugs.
University public
health doctors support call for ban on advertising prescription drugs
20 February 2003
Aside from the United States, New Zealand is the only developed country that
permits the direct advertising of prescription drugs to consumers. This, among
other concerns, has prompted a group of senior academic Public Health doctors
from the four New Zealand medical schools to come out in support of a report
delivered to the Minister of Health, Annette King, calling for a ban on advertising
prescription drugs to the public.
Virology research theme workshop
16 February 2003
Report calls For ban on
advertising prescription drugs
16 February 2003
A group of senior academic General Practitioners from all New Zealand medical
schools has delivered a report to the Minister of Health, Annette King calling
for a ban on advertising prescription medicines to the public.
New research points to
key factors in youth suicide
29 January 2003
Researchers at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Otago
University, have examined some of the key factors associated with youth suicide
in this country. This study extends the previous findings of the Canterbury
Suicide Project that depression is a major factor in youth suicide. The new
research looks at those factors which distinguish between young people with
depression who become suicidal and those with depression who do not.
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